Artists’ Fees Evaluated Annually Income Funds Amenities Promoter Offers
Expenses are closely monitored and categorized throughout the year. In addition to visual artists, the festival includes performers, culinary, poets, dancers, writers, and more.
However, only the visual and culinary artists pay to participate and are thus considered income. Grants and other funding sources are tapped to finance the event’s operating expenses, along with performers, demonstrators, and other activities.
All parts of the festival, other than the food and artwork, are offered entirely free of charge to the public, so outside funding is needed to cover these costs. Artists rent the spaces they occupy, and this income funds the amenities we offer.
Artists’ fees are evaluated following each event when the next year’s budget is evaluated. The previous year’s costs and anticipated changes are considered.
The weather for the 2011 Colorscape was perfect. Unfortunately, in the weeks prior to the festival, the Northeast experienced Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, back-to-back, and Norwich was virtually cut off by flooded roads, mudslides, and washed-out bridges.
While many artists were unable to get to Norwich, the show went on. So, refunds were not possible. In an effort to compensate those who missed it, we gave them a $25 discount on their 2012 entry fee, which was $175 at that time.
Parking and power are free, including several RV parking spaces behind a downtown motel (no hook-ups). Camping is offered at the county fairgrounds with hook-up options at a minimal cost. We pass on our cost for this alternative to keep it as affordable as we can.
There is no Wi-Fi available in the parks. Some businesses offer public Wi-Fi, but the range is limited and offers no security for business transactions. Reliable cellular service from three major carriers is available.
We make arrangements each year with local hotels/motels to offer reduced rates for artists. A number of local B&B’s and vacation properties offer discounts and/or make special arrangements with our artists.
For many years, we have facilitated “Home Hosts” among the festival’s fans. This is where people open their homes, camps, and vacation properties to exhibiting artists at no charge for the weekend. Many hosts even feed and entertain their guests, forming relationships that last year after year.
Colorscape’s artists are community, with their needs anticipated, questions answered, and problems solved to the greatest extent possible. The festival’s visual arts coordinator is available year-round and has been focused on Colorscape’s artists for most of the festival’s history.
All efforts are geared toward keeping our artists happy from start to finish. The treatment of our artists is the thing that garners the most compliments and praise each year and makes us stand out among arts festivals.
Amenities include:
- Friday afternoon setup, with volunteers available when possible.
- Free, all-day parking near both parks.
- Load-in/load-out areas before and after the show each day.
- Free festival T-shirts, with a unique new design each year.
- Free early morning coffee and snacks at the Hospitality Booth during Saturday morning’s setup.
- VIP Hospitality Booth with free drinks and snacks available during festival hours.
- Lunches and beverages delivered to artists’ booths midday by volunteers.
- Complimentary Sunday awards breakfast.
- Booth sitters on call during show hours.
- ColorCash Certificates ($2,800 in 2025) given to sponsors and members to spend as cash on art at the show.
- Sponsors are also encouraged to purchase the certificates as gifts or bonuses to employees ($1,800 in 2025).
- $5,000 in cash awards ($50 distributed to selected artists in each of 15 categories, determined by judges), plus Best Booth and Best of Show.
Photo courtesy of Kathy Rutz
Photo courtesy of Kathy Rutz
Booth sitters are recruited to cover each park during staggered, three-hour shifts during festival hours. Wearing bright green vests labeled on the reverse to make them easy to see, exhibitors are able to flag them down to cover their booths when they need a break. If an artist cannot see a booth sitter when they need one, they can text the visual artist coordinator, who will send a volunteer to their booth.
Porta-potties have been donated by a local business for all 31 years of the event so far and are cleaned and maintained. Wash stations are provided, and a designated artists’ station is set up near the Hospitality Booth.
Our complimentary Sunday Awards Breakfast is at a church three blocks from the parks. Church members plan and prepare it for Colorscape’s vendors. Ample time is allowed for artists to socialize with each other and the festival’s organizers in a relaxed atmosphere.
After the breakfast, ribbons and checks are awarded to the Emerging Young Artists, who receive scholarship awards and Golden Artist Colors gift certificates. The visual arts coordinator then announces and distributes ribbons and some $5,000 in awards to the artists deemed the best of the best in each of 15 categories, plus the Best Booth and Best of Show winners.